Apparatus for applying cuts in envelope blanks and the like



3, 1956 R. WINKLER ETA]. 2,770,303

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING CUTS IN ENVELOPE BLANKS AND THE LIKE Filed May 24, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet l 46 47 INVENTORS. Rieh ard Winklw' and BY Aun Dunnebier. [A A f A 1 A TTORNEYS'.

mr. $3, 1956 R. WINKLER ET AL APPARATUS FOR APPLYING CUTS IN ENVELOPE BLANKS AND THE LIKE Filed May 24, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS Richard Wink/er and BY Kurf- Dunnebier.

ATTORNEYS.

1956 R. WINKLER ET AL APPARATUS FOR APPLYING CUTS IN ENVELOPE BLANKS AND THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 24, 1952 INVENTORS Richard Wink/er' and BY lfurf Dunneb/Qr.

ATTORNEYS.

Unite APPARATUS FOR APPLYING CUTS 1N ENVELOPE BLANKS AND THE LIKE Application May 24, 1952, Serial No. 289,708

11 Claims. (Cl. 164-64) This invention relates to an apparatus for cutting portions of envelope blanks and particularly for cutting notches at the points on which the flaps of the envelopes are to be subsequently folded as in a high speed continuous envelope making machine.

Certain types of envelopes can be manufactured with practically no waste of paper stock by providing blanks of substantially diamond or rhombic shape wherein the corner extremities ultimately constitute the side, bottom and closure flaps of the finished envelope. Such blanks may be readily formed from roll paper merely by cutting diagonally across the paper web as it is unwound from the roll. However, it is necessary to provide notches in the blanks which register with the points of the folds in order to provide a finished envelope with properly formed corners.

It is, therefore, the principal object of the present invent to provide an apparatus for achieving the cuts in a continuous process without interruption of the travel of the blanks into and through a high speed continuous envelope making machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide cutting elements which produce a shearing action thereby reducing wear and dulling of the cutting edges.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for producing the cuts in which no relative motion takes place between the blank carrier, the blank, and the stationary cutting element and while maintaining continuous movement of the blanks by the carrier.

A further object of the invention is to actuate and control the movable cutting elements by the blank carrier so that they are kept in timed relation therewith and the cuts are accurately made in proper places on the blanks.

Other objects are to provide mounting of the cutting units on a cylindrical carrier rotatable about a horizontal axis and preferably acting pneumatically to hold the blanks relatively to the cutting units; to drive the cutting units by means of stationary sun gears actuating planetary gear systems associated with the respective cutting units and meshing continuously with the sun gears; and to provide each cutting mechanism as a self-contained or independent unit which is ready for operation when attached to the carrier cylinder.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention hereinafter pointed out, we have provided improved structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through a blank carrier equipped with cutting units and actuating mechanisms therefor in accordance with the present invention, the section being taken on the line 1--1 indicated in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a portion of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end view of one of the cutting units.

Fig. 4 is a section through one of the cutting units taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are similar sectional views showing different positions of the movable cutting element.

States Patent 2,770,303 Patented Nov. 13, 1956 Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 8--8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view of a paper roll in which diagonal cuts are formed as the paper web is unwound from the roll to form the rhombic blanks, the blanks after the notches have been formed by the mechanism to which the present invention pertains, the folding over of the side flaps, and the completed envelopes as they appear when delivered from an envelope making machine with which the present invention is associated.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of a finished blank and illustrating the corner cuts.

Fig. 11 is a similar view but diagrammatically showing the arrangement of the cutting elements.

Referring more in detail to the drawings and first to Figs. 9 and 10:

1 diagramtically designates a roll of paper stock from which the rhombic blanks 2 may be formed. The width of the web of the roll is such that the side edges 3 and 4 conform with opposite side edges 5 and 6 of the blank 2. Diagonal cuts 7 are made transversely of the web at spaced points corresponding with the other opposite edges 8 and 9 of the blanks. The diagonal cuts thus cooperate with the side edges 5 and 6 of the web to provide obtuse portions 10 and 11 which subsequently constitute the bottom and closure flaps 12 and 13 of the finished envelopes, and the acute angular portions 14 and 15 subsequently constitute the side flaps 16 and 17 of the finished envelope.

The points at the ends of the portions 14 and 15 are preferably sheared off to provide parallel lapping portions 18 for the end flaps of the finished envelope.

When the blanks are delivered to a continuous high production envelope making machine, the flap forming portions are folded and secured to each other as in standard practice. However, in order to provide proper corners for the folded envelopes, it is necessary to provide cuts 19, 20, 21 and 22 which extend inwardly from the side edges 5, 6, 8 and 9 of the blanks and in registry with points on which the flap forming portions are subsequently folded, the folding points being indicated by the dot and dash lines 23 as indicated in Fig. 10 and which define the marginal edges of the front face portion 24 of a finished envelope.

The side edges 25 and 26 of the respective notches preferably form obtuse angles with each other and the junctures thereof join with the adjacent lines of fold 23.

It is obvious that when the blanks are thus formed, the only wastage in paper stock is the portions which are removed by formation of the notches and the points clipped form the ends of the side flap forming portions of the blanks. Consequently, this method of forming the blanks results in a minimum waste of the paper stock,

In carrying out the present invention, the rhombic blanks are delivered into a conventional high speed envelope making machine by means of blank carriers 27, 28 and 29, the blanks moving continuously in the direction indicated by the arrows 36). In the illustrated instance, the carriers are of substantially cylindrical or drum type and the blanks travel upwardly between the carriers 27 and 28, across the top of the carrier 28 and downwardly between the carriers 28 and 29.

While the blanks are being successively advanced by the carrier 28, they are acted upon to form the cuts or notches 19, 20, 21 and 22 by means of cutting units 31 that are mounted on the carrier 28 and which are bodily moved therewith and have fixed cutting elements and complementary movable cutting elements that are actuated in timed relation with the carrier, later described. The cutting units are arranged on the carrier 28 as diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 11, and the movable elements are moved at right angles to and from the directional movement of the blanks. In the illustrated ine3 stance, the carrier 28 mounts two sets of cutting units on the respective opposite diametrical sides thereof as shown in Fig. 1.

The cutting units of each set are of substantially the same construction with the exception that an idler gear is required to reverse the action of the trailing units with respect to the foremost units as later described. The carrier 28 may comprise a drum or a plurality of circular disks 32, 33 and 34 mounted on a common shaft 35 so that the disks rotate therewith to advance the blanks. The outer disks 32 and 34 carry the cutting units as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Each unit comprises a bracket 36 including a plate portion 37 that is adjustably mounted on the outer faces of the disks 32 and 34 so that the units may be moved to and from each other in accordance with the size of the blanks. Projecting laterally from the plate portion is an arm 38 having an angularly directed wing portion 39 which extends in spaced parallel relation with an angularly directed boss 46 that is also carried on the plate portion and which cooperates with the wing portion of the bracket arm in mounting a crank-shaft 41 that extends angularly to the plate portion of the bracket in accordance with the angular position of the movable cutting elements which angular position is necessary because of the right angular cut through of the blanks. The ends of the crank-shaft are preferably journalled in antifriction bearings 42 and 43, the antifriction bearing 42 supporting the outer end of the crank-shaft being mounted within an opening 44 in the wing portion of the crankshaft and the bearing 43 which supports the inner end of the crank-shaft is retained in a seat 45 of the boss 40 by means of a bearing cap 46 that is secured by fastening devices such as cap screws 47.

The crank-shaft includes spaced disk portions 48 and 49 carrying the eccentric or throw portion 50 of the crank-shaft and on which is mounted a rocker arm 51 which carries the movable cutting element 52 later described.

The fixing cutting element 53 is mounted on the bracket 36 and above the arm portion thereof. The fixed cutting element 53 includes an arcuate shaped plate 54 having "an outer face 55 that conforms with the curvature of the drum or disks 32 and 35 and is secured to the bracket by fastening devices such as cap screws 56. The plate portion has cutting edges 57 and 58 that diverge on an obtuse angle corresponding with the side edges 25 and 26 of the notches to be formed in the envelope blanks. The cutting edges 57 and 58 are formed on a projection 52 of the plate and the face edge 60 is relieved below the cutting edges as indicated at 60 to accommodate the path of the movable cutting element 52.

The movable cutting element 52 includes a plate-like member 61 having diverging faces 62 and 63 conforming with the angle of the cutting edges 57 and 53 and which terminate in depending cutting edges 64 and 65 that cooperate with the cutting edges 57 and 58 in producing shear cuts in the envelope blanks so as to reduce wear and tear on the cutting edges and greatly prolong the periods between the times that the edges must be sharpened or replaced.

The movable cutting elements are adjustably mounted on a carrier arm 66 by means of a cap screw 67 having a threaded shank 68 extending through an opening 69 in the plate portion of the movable cutting element and into a threaded socket 70 of the carrier arm. 66 so that 73 pivotally mounted on the ends of a pin 74 that extends through the carrierarm 66. The yoke 71 also has oppositely directed ears 75 that are mounted pivotally on the ends of a pin 76 that extends transversely through the upper end of the rocker arm 51. The pins are locked in the carrier arm by screws 77 as shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7. The yoke '72 has ears 7? which are pivotally connected with pins 79 and 86 that extend transversely through the carrier arm 66 and a lateral extension 81 on the crank arm respectively and in substantially parallel relation with the transverse pins previously described.

The carrier arm thus has rocking support on the rocker arm by means of the yokes so that the cutting edges of the movable cutting element may be adjusted relative to those of the fixed cutting element for producing shear cuts. Rocking adjustment of the movable cutting element is effected by a thumb screw 82 that is threadedly mounted in a depending ear 83 on the outer end of the carrier arm 66 and which bears against the lateral extension $1 of the crank arm as best shown in Fig. 5. The screw is locked in adjusted position by a clamp screw 34.

It is thus obvious that when the thumb screw 82 is turned in one direction the movable cutting element will be moved retractively with respect to the fixed cutting element against action of a spring 35 that has one end mounted in a socket 86 of the rocker arm 51 and the other end mounted in a socket 37 that is provided in the yoke 72 as best shown in Fig. 5. Thus the spring normally retains the movable cutting element yieldingly in the direction of the cutting edges of the fixed cutting element. Thus the cutting edges are brought toward each other by means of the spring $5 when the thumb screw is slacked off or turned in the opposite direction.

The rocker arm supporting the movable cutting element is controlled by a link 88 having one end journalled on a transverse pin 39 that is mounted in a socket that is formed in the arm 38 of the bracket 36. The opposite end of the link 86 is pivotally connected with a transverse pin 91 that is carried between spaced ears 92 on the adjacent side of the rocker arm 51. if desired, suitable antifriction bearings 93 may be used between the link and pins as shown in Fig. 5.

The pivotal connections for the link 86 are stabilized by coil springs 95 and 96 that are inset in suitable sockets 97 and 93 in the bracket and crank arm respectively. The link connection, as well as the crank portion of the crankshaft may be provided with antifriction bearings 99 as shown in Fig. 4.

The crank-shafts of the respective units are actuated incidental to rotation of the carrier cylinder 28 by means of sun gears 101 and lift that have fixed support relative to the axis of the shaft 35 in that they are connected to a fixed part of the framework of the machine so that as the cylinder rotates planetary gearing will effect rotation of the crank-shafts as now to be described.

The planetary gear mechanism for the foremost unit of each set is provided with a planet gear 163 that is mounted on a stub shaft 1 carried by an extension 1'95 of the bracket 36. Fixed in driving relation with the planet gear is a bevel gear 106 meshing with a bevel gear 107 on the outer end of each crankshaft. The trailing units of each set are arranged to have the crank shafts rotate in reverse direction. Therefore, the planet gears which drive these units consist of idler gears 108 that are mounted on a stub shaft 109 also carried by the bracket 36 and which have attached thereto gears 116 meshing with gears 111 on stub shafts 112 for those units. Fixed in driving relation with gears 1.11 are bevel gears 113 meshing with bevel gears on outer ends of the crankshafts for those units. Thus the timing is such that the cutting elements of the foremost units are actuated prior to the cutting elements of the trailing units as shown in Fig. 1.

In order to time and position the blanks on the r-- rier roll, the disks are provided with suction ports 21. through which a suction is drawn to hoid the blanks in fixed relation with respect to the cylinder 28 when they are delivered from the carrier cylinder 27. The rollers 2 7 and 29 may also be constructed as suction rollers or fitted with a number of suction disks fitted side by side to control movement of the blanks, the suction being under control of a suitable timing valve (not shown) but will be well understood by those skilled in the art of envelope manufacturing machines.

The feed and locationing of the blanks is preferably pneumatically controlled, that is when the blanks are delivered from the cylinder 27 they are caught by suction through orifices 114 of the cylinder 23 and are drawn into position with portions of the blank overlying the fixed cutting elements of the advanced units. As the cylinders continue to rotate, the planet gear N33 for the foremost unit rolls on the sun gear 101 to actuate the crank-shaft of that unit through the bevel gears. As the crank-shaft rotates, the rocker arm pivots on the links 86 to move the movable cutting element forwardly and downwardly so that the cutting edges thereof co operate with the cutting edges of the stationary cutting elements to shear notches in the forward edges of the blank.

As the cylinder continues its rotation, the trailing units are actuated through the idler gears and in opposite timed relation so that as the cutting elements of the foremost unit swing to their open position, the trailing units swing into shearing position for forming the cuts in the trailing edges of the blanks. As the next blank is delivered to the cylinder 28, the cutting elements of the other set or" units come into play to effect similar cuts in the succeeding blanks.

From the foregoing it will be obvious that the pivotal mounting of the cutting elements on the crank shafts 41 and the control of the pivotal movement by the links 88 cause the movable cutting elements to move on the carrier in a radial direction through the edges of a blank and then circumferentially on the carrier and away from the fixed cutting elements. This is an important feature because it provides smooth cuts and assures that the movable cutting elements are out of the path of travel of the blanks as the cuts are made. Another important feature is the mounting of both the fixed and movable cutting elements directly on the rotatable carrier, because it permits of linear cutting edges.

While we have particularly illustrated the cutting units as mounted on a cylinder for rotation about a fixed axis, it is obvious that the carrier may assume other shapes and that the cutting units may be moved in exact timed relation therewith so as to effect the desired cuts in the envelope blanks without departing from the spirit of the invention.

While the present drawings and description apply to corner cuts, it is obvious that the cutting elements may be shaped to produce other shaped cuts in envelope blanks. What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1s:

1. An apparatus for applying corner cuts in marginal side edges of rhombic shaped blanks wherein angular portions of the blanks provide the flaps of an envelope and the corner cuts define the point of the fold for the flaps, said apparatus including means for feeding the blanks individually and in successive order with the angular portions which form the bottom and closure fiaps aligned with the directional feed of the blanks and with the angular portions which form the side flaps extending laterally, a carrier rotatable about an axis transversely of the directional feed of the blanks and forming a circular support for the blanks, laterally spaced cutting elements fixed on the carrier, said carrier having means engaging leading angular portions of the respective blanks to carry a blank engaged thereby about said circular support with the marginal side edges overlying the fixed cutting elements, movable cutting elements for cooperating with the fixed cutting elements to make shear cuts through said marginal edges, means for engaging the leading angular portions of the engaged blank to remove the blank from the carrier, and means for supporting the movable cutting elements for bodily support by the carrier along with the fixed cutting elements and for movement on the carrier in a radial direction through said edges of the engaged blank and then for movement substantially circumferentially on the carrier and away from the fixed cutting elements to get the movable cutting elements away from the blank when the blank is engaged by said removing means.

2. An apparatus for applying corner cuts in marginal side edges of rhombic shaped blanks wherein angular portions of the blanks provide the flap of an envelope and the corner cuts define the point of the fold for the flaps, said apparatus including a rotor for feeding the blanks individually and in successive order with the angular portions which form the bottom and closure flaps aligned with the directional feed of the blanks and with the angular portions which form the side flaps extending laterally, a carrier rotatable about an axis transversely of the directional feed of the blanks and forming a circular support in receiving relation with the rotor, laterally spaced cutting elements fixed on the carrier, said carrier having means engaging leading angular portions of the respective blanks to carry a blank engaged thereby about said circular support with the marginal side edges overlying the fixed cutting elements, in fixed relation therewith, movable cutting elements for cooperating with the fixed cutting elements to make shear cuts through said marginal edges, a rotor for engaging the leading angular portions of the engaged blank to remove the blank from the carrier, means for supporting the movable cutting elements for bodily support by the carrier along with the fixed cutting elements and for movement in a radial direction through said edges of the engaged blank and then in a substantially circumferential direction on the carrier and away from the fixed cutting elements in the direction of rotation of the carrier to get the movable cutting elements away from the blank when the blank is engaged by said last named rotor, and means for operating said rotors in timed relation with the carrier, said rotors having suction means cooperating with said blank engaging means of the carrier to prevent relative movement between the blanks and the rotors while the blanks are being trans ferred to and from the carrier.

3. An apparatus for applying corner cuts in marginal side edges of rhombic shaped blanks wherein angular portions of the blanks provide the flaps of an envelope and the corner cuts define the point of the fold for the flaps, said apparatus including means for feeding the blanks individually and in successive order with the angular portions which form the bottom and closure flaps aligned with the directional feed of the blanks and with the angular portions which form the side flaps extending laterally, a carrier rotatable about an axis transversely of the directional feed of the blanks and forming a circular support for the blanks, laterally spaced cutting elements fixed on the carrier, said carrier having means engaging leading angular portions of the respective blanks to carry a blank engaged thereby about said circular support with the marginal side edges overlying the fixed cutting elements, movable cutting elements for cooperating with the fixed cutting elements to make shear cuts through said marginal edges, means for engaging the leading angular portions of the engaged blank to remove the blank from the carrier, means for supporting the movable cutting elements for bodily support by the carrier along with the fixed cutting elements and for movement in a radial direction through said edges of the engaged blank and then in a substantially circumferential direction on the carrier and away from the fixed cutting elements to get a movable cutting element away from the blank when the blank is engaged by said removing means, said fixed cutting elements and the supporting means for each of the movable cutting elements having adjustable support arcuately on the carrier to position the corner cuts relatively to the blanks.

4. An apparatus for applying corner cuts in marginal side edges of rhombic shaped blanks wherein angular portions of the blanks provide the flaps of an envelope and the corner cuts define the point of the fold for the flaps, said apparatus including means for feeding the blanks individually and in successive order with the angular portions which form the bottom and closure flaps aligned with the directional feed of the blanks and with the angular portions which form the side flaps extending laterally, a carrier rotatable about an axis transversely of the directional feed of the blanks and forming circular support for the blanks, laterally spaced cutting elements fixed on the carrier, said carrier having means engaging leading angular portions of the respective blanks to carry a blank engaged thereby about said circular support with the marginal side edges overlying the fixed cut ting elements, movable cutting elements for cooperating with the fixed cutting elements to make shear cuts through said marginal edges, means for engaging the leading angular portions of the engaged blank to remove the blank from the carrier, means for supporting the movable cutting elements on the carrier for movement in a radial direction through said edges of the engaged blank and then circumferentially away from the fixed cutting elements to get the movable cutting elements away from the blank when the blank is engaged by said removing means, and a planetary gear mechanism coaxially of the carrier and having driving connection with the movable cutting elements to operate the movable cutting elements in timed relation with the carrier.

5. An apparatus for applying corner cuts in marginal side edges of rhombic shaped blanks wherein angular portions of the blanks provide the flaps of an envelope and the corner cuts define the point of the fold for the flaps, said apparatus including means for feeding the blanks individually and in successive order with the angular portions which form the bottom and closure flaps aligned with the directional feed of the blanks and with the angular portions which form the side flaps extending laterally, a carrier rotatable about an axis transversely of the directional feed of the blanks and forming a circular support for the blanks, laterally spaced cutting elements fixed on the carrier, said carrier having means engaging leading angular portions of the respective blanks to carry a blank engaged thereby about said circular support with the marginal side edges overlying the fixed cutting elements, movable cutting elements for cooperating with the fixed cutting elements to make shear cuts through said marginal edges, means for engaging the leading angular portions of the engaged blank to remove the blank from the carrier, means for supporting the movable cutting elements on the carrier for movement in a radial direction through said edges of the engaged blank and then circumferentially away from the fixed cutting elements to get a movable cutting element away from the blank when the blank is engaged by said removing means, said fixed cutting elements and the supporting means for each of the movable cutting elements having adjustable support arcuately on the carrier to position the corner cuts relatively to the blanks, and a planetary gear mechanism coaxially of the carrier and having driving connection with the movable cutting elements to operate the movable cutting elements in timed relation with the carrier.

6. An apparatus for applying corner cuts in marginal side edges of substantially rhombic shaped blanks Wherein the angular corners of the blanks form flaps of an envelope and the corner cuts define a point of fold for the flaps, said apparatus including, means for feeding the blanks individually and in successive order, a carrier rotatable about an axis transversely of the direction of the feed of the blanks and forming a support for the blanks, spaced apart cutting elements fixed on the carrier, said carrier having means engaging leading portions of the respective blanks to carry a blank engaged thereby about iii) the support with marginal edges of the blank overlying the fixed cutting elements, movable cutting elements cooperating with the fixed cutting elements to make shear cuts through said marginal edges, means for engaging the leading portions of the engaged blank to remove the blank from the carrier, and means for supporting the movable cutting elements directly upon the carrier for movement on the carrier in a substantially radial direction through said marginal edge portions of the engaged blank and then substantially circumferentially of the carrier and away from the fixed cutting elements to get the movable cutting elements away from the blank when the blank is engaged by said removing means.

7. An apparatus for applying corner cuts in marginal side edges of substantially rhombic shaped blanks wherein the angular corners of the blanks form flaps of an envelope and the corner cuts define a point of fold for the flaps, said apparatus including, means for feeding the blanks individually and in successive order with two opposite angular portions substantially aligned with the directional feed of the blanks and with the other two opposite angular portions extending laterally, a carrier rotatable about an axis transversely of the direction of the feed of the blanks and forming a support for the blanks, laterally spaced apart cutting elements fixed on the carrier, said carrier having means engaging the leading angular portions of the respective blanks to carry a blank engaged thereby with the carrier for support thereof with marginal side edges of the blank overlying the fixed cutting elements, movable cutting elements cooperating with the fixed cutting elements to make shear cuts through said marginal edges, means for engaging the leading angular portions of the engaged blank to remove the blank from the carrier, and means for supporting the movable cutting elements directly upon the carrier for movement on the carrier in a substantially radial direction through said side edges of the engaged and supported blank and then substantially circumferentially of the carrier and away from the fixed cutting elements to get the movable cutting elements away from the blank when the blank is engaged by said removing means.

8. An apparatus for applying corner cuts in marginal side edges of substantially rhombic shaped blanks Where in the angular corners of the blanks form flaps of an envelope and the corner cuts define a point of fold for the flaps, said apparatus including, means for feeding the blanks individually and in successive order, a carrier rotatable about an axis transversely of the direction of the feed of the blanks and forming 'a support for the blanks, spaced apart cutting elements fixed on the carrier, said carrier having means engaging lea-ding portions of the respective blanks to carry a blank engaged thereby about the support with the marginal edges of the blank overlying the fixed cutting elements, movable cutting ele ments coopenating with the fixed cutting elements to make shear cuts through said marginal edges, means for engaging the leading portions of the engaged blank to remove the blank from the carrier, rotatable cranks having support on the carrier, rocker members journalled on the cranks and mounting the movable cutting elements thereon, means for rotating the cranks to reciprocate the rocker members in a radial direction to bring the movable cutting elements through said marginal portions of the engaged blank, and control links pivotally mounted on said carrier and having pivotal connection with the rocker members to cause the rocker members to move away from the fixed cutting elements to get the movable cutting elements away from the blank when the blank is engaged by said removing means.

9. An apparatus as described in claim 8 wherein the crank rotating means includes a sun gear mounted in coaxial alignment with the rotational axis of the carrier, and planetary gear means connecting the sun gear with the cranks.

10. An apparatus as described in claim 8 wherein the mounting of the movable cutting elements on the rocker members includes mounting members canrying the movable cutting elements, means movably connecting the mounting members on the rocker members, and adjusting means between the mounting members and rocker members to adjust registry of the shearing edges of movable cutting elements with respect to the shearing edges of the fixed cutting elements.

11. An apparatus as described in claim 8 wherein the mounting of the movable cutting elements on the rocker member includes mounting members carrying the movable cutting elements, link-s pivotal ly supporting the pivot members on the rocker members, yokes spaced from the links and pivotally connecting the mounting members with the rocker members to cooperate with the links in movably supporting the mounting members, adjusting 10 means to move the movable cutting elements to bring the shear edges thereof toward the shear edges of the fixed cutting elements to adjust shearing contact thereof, and springs between the yokes and the rocker members to yieldingly retain 'the shearing contact between said shear edges.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 365,766 Wood June 28, 1887 729,454 Tyberg May 26, 1903 1,118,515 Smith Nov. 24, 1914 2,060,821 Novick Nov. 17, 1936 2,381,955 Hoffman et a1 Aug. 14, 1945 2,525,042 Minarik Oct. 10, 1950 2,694,351 Winkler et 'al. Nov. 16, 1954 

